Educational Science

Octopuses React to Predators and Prey on TV

Octopuses rely on visual cues to identify predators, prey and other marine creatures. Yet it has been difficult for researchers to study the animals' reactions to their natural environments, because the scientists can't control what might swim or crawl by an octopus — that is, until the advent of HDTV....

Smithsonian's New Giant Pacific Octopus Named

The National Zoo's new Giant Pacific octopus is one curious creature. Now it has a name to match its personality: Pandora. The octopus had a chance to pick its own name by choosing one of four names dropped into its tank. When the octopus didn't touch one of the objects...

An octopus that uses coconut shells as portable armor is the latest addition to a growing list of animals that use tools. The veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) apparently can stack discarded coconut shell halves just as one might pile bowls, sits atop them, makes its eight arms rigid like stilts,...

Squidward, It's You! An Octopus Knows Who's Who

When one octopus meets another octopus, the leggy animal remembers the acquaintance for at least a day, a new study indicates. Recognizing a fellow member of your species is called individual recognition. Mammals, like humans, birds and even fish, are capable of what is known as true individual recognition in...

All Octopuses Are Venomous

Contrary to what was known, all octopuses are venomous, a new study finds. Researchers knew that the blue-ringed octopus packed venom. Now they say all octopuses and cuttlefish, and some squid are venomous. In fact they all share a common, ancient venomous ancestor, the study indicates, and the work suggests...

Clever Octopus Mimics a Fish

When it comes to blending in, the Atlantic longarm octopus is a pro, expertly changing color to match the sea floor. But when invisibility just won't do, this octopus has another trick up its eight sleeves: Make like a flounder. Researchers have captured photos and video of the Atlantic longarm...

Transparent Octopus Goes Opaque in Blink of an Eye

Two deep-ocean species of cephalopod, an octopus and a squid, can go from transparent to opaque in the blink of an eye, a new study finds. This impressive camouflage swap is an adaptation that likely keeps the cephalopods safe from two different types of predators. The first are deep-sea creatures...

Tiny Fish Filmed Mimicking Octopus That Mimics Fish

A new film captures a circular game of copycat: a fish that mimics an octopus that mimics fish. First described by scientists in 1998, the remarkable mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) can shift its shape, movements and color to impersonate toxic lionfish, flatfish and even sea snakes. Such mimicry allows it...

Astonishing Octopus Is Master of Disguise

By peering into the genes of the mimic octopus, which has the mind-boggling ability to shift its color and shape to impersonate anything from sea snakes to stingrays, scientists are now uncovering the evolutionary steps it took to become a master of disguise. The eight-legged oracle known as Paul the...

How Octopi Deal With Chilly Waters

The chilly waters of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans are enough to slow anyone down. But octopi that have relocated to these areas play tricks with their genetic material to keep moving. Cold temperatures slow us down because all molecules move slower in colder temperatures, including those proteins that send...